My first finalist is 2nd grade teacher, Judy Ehlerding.  Judy has taught for almost 30 years!  WOW!  She explained that her classroom had always looked the same – primary colors with cute children and colorful school supplies.  She discovered my site shortly after she studied the new standards for Science and Social Studies and felt that my Animal Adventure collection would be perfect for her second graders.  So, Judy did a complete overhaul on her classroom and created a beautiful environment for her students to learn.  She also came up with the theme “Working Together For A Better World.”  Judy’s lessons would focus on traveling around the world with her students as they explore the various standards.

When I opened her pictures, I was blown away by the organization and cohesiveness of the room.  The colors were soothing and the room appeared to be so welcoming!  Judy decorated with items from all over the world given to her by family.  She even had special items that her father brought home from India following WWII.

As I went through each picture, I couldn’t help but think that  I would do anything to have my own children in an environment like this one.  It appears that there is a tremendous amount of learning going to take place in this classroom!

Let’s take a look!

Welcome to Judy’s 2nd grade classroom…

From this particular angle, I notice my animal print letters and how neat and organized everything looks.  The book baskets are cohesive with bright yellow labels, which ties into the yellow board above.  I really like the yellow bulletin board paper with the zebra print border!

Judy used yellow bulletin board paper with the zebra border on this side of the room.  PERFECT!  My Word Wall labels look great on the white board.  I also like how she used my book basket labels to create Word Wall Words.  Again, she has the blue book baskets with the yellow labels which creates the cohesiveness in the room.  The rug is absolutely perfect for this theme as well! 

This is one of my favorite parts of the room…the curtain and animals walking along the window!  Judy used my animal silhouettes and a zebra print valance to pull the entire theme together.  SO CUTE!!!  Look at her bookshelves…clean, neat, and organized.  I love how she has all of the books along the countertops, including safari animals, and plants.  It feels so homey!

Judy carried the yellow paper and zebra print border to this side of the room!  GREAT JOB!!!  She also used my letters to spell out “EXPLORE MATHEMATICS.”  Again, very organized and cohesive.

This area looks so nice too!  I LOVE how she labeled the Writing Center with one of my signs, added more safari animals to pull in the theme, and used the clear cans to display supplies.  The plants add a welcoming touch to her classroom!

I love how Judy hung my animal silhouettes over this little reading area.  The rug also coordinates with her big rug on the other side of the room.  Again, another cohesive move on Judy’s part!  Nicely done!

Cool items from India on display, along with my multipurpose labels!

WO

I LOVE these!  Judy had her students make travel journals with my passports!  WOW!!!  I mean…WOW!!!

Judy explained the suitcases…”The children took the small “suitcases”(Complete with the luggage tags you designed!) home from ‘Welcome Days’ and decorated them. They also filled them with small items that would help us get to know them and brought the the suitcases back to school to share.”

PRETTY AWESOME, HUH?!?

Judy used my labels, table signs, and door signs to create a job chart and lunch count!  Judy was able to customize all of her printables with my new editable files! 

Overall, I was so incredibly impressed with Judy’s classroom.   I love how she used my staged Animal Adventure collection and adapted it to fit her teaching and decorating style.  I love to think of my rooms as inspiration.  Judy took the inspiration and ran with it!  She thought of every single detail.  Her student’s journals were even detailed!  The theme was carried throughout every part of the room, the colors were cohesive, and the room was very attractive and organized.  I LOVE IT!!!

If you love Judy’s room too, you will have the chance to vote for her at the very end of the competition!  I am not the one that will pick the winner…you will!!!

Meet me here next Wednesday to find out who will be our next finalist in The Schoolgirl Style Challenge!

Happy Decorating!

~Melanie~